Harlequin Rasbora Staying at top and not swimming?

Hi, in our 29 gallon aquarium, we have 2 Harlequin Rasboras among other fish. Originally we bought 6, but it was a bad batch. So one of the harlequins is always just staying in the top area not really swimming. I assume this is because he wants to be in a larger school. Unfortunately our water is around 82 degrees, now that I know that is not the ideal temperature, I am not sure that that would be such a good idea to add 4-6 more. We have a 29 gallon long we could move the harlequins too, but I am concerned that the one that always stays still would not transition very well. Btw our ph is around 8.

Opinions? Thanks!

 

Hi, in our 29 gallon aquarium, we have 2 Harlequin Rasboras among other fish. Originally we bought 6, but it was a bad batch. So one of the harlequins is always just staying in the top area not really swimming. I assume this is because he wants to be in a larger school. Unfortunately our water is around 82 degrees, now that I know that is not the ideal temperature, I am not sure that that would be such a good idea to add 4-6 more. We have a 29 gallon long we could move the harlequins too, but I am concerned that the one that always stays still would not transition very well. Btw our ph is around 8.

Opinions? Thanks!

Hello! I would definitely add 4-6 more, and if stocking allows, a school of 8-12 would be ideal. You should probably lower the temperature to 77ish. Is there a reason why your tank is this temperature? Also, try lowering your ph. Indian almond leaves are natural stress relievers and naturally lower the ph. Harlequins like slightly acidic water with a ph of 6-7. Hope this helps!

 

pH 8 is hard on harlequins. I know people say that they keep them in high pH but I've given up on all tetras after seeing them in tap water brought down to the correct pH with RO water in the LFS. They looked so big and robust!
Also, mine kept dying so I took the hint.
If your water is very hard you're fighting a losing battle to bring down the pH.
The almond leaves are worth a try. They will stain the water brown which your fish will like

 

The reason it is that high is we also have rummy nose tetras false julis and a plec (moving to a bigger tank soon)

Thanks for all the help! So I don’t want to try to chase a PH do you think we could move them to the 20 gallon add like 8 more and maybe put in 10 ottos. One is not very active tho and do you think he would be ok in a transition to cooler lower ph water since we are going partial RO on the 20.

 

I wouldn't be quick to chalk them up as 'a bad batch' depending on how they all passed. Rasbora prefer a temp range of 72-78F and may breed in waters as warm as 82F. They also prefer more acidic waters. As akcarroll12 mentioned. You could also use mopanI wood to lower PH? (MopanI wood does the same thing as almond leaves), or using peat in the filter should lower the PH as well.

But, rasbora should be comfortably acclimated to a range of PH and temperature. I would believe lowering the temperature and the PH would help your survival rates for em, but they should acclimate just fine to your water already. How do you acclimate fish when you bring them home?

If you decide to alter your PH, careful which method you choose. I highly recommend you don't use a product like "PH down" or ore-made acid buffers. I would recommend more natural methods like Almond leaves, peat, or wood. Natural methods should drop your PH over time, reducing the likelihood of fluctuations in PH (and stable PH is better than the 'correct' PH). Chemical Acid buffers must be used as directed, or they could actually CAUSE PH swings, use discretion.

 

We got them a few months ago and there hasn’t been one that died in a while, we acclimated them by putting the bag with the fish in the tank for half an hour and then every few minutes put in tank water and then we pore the fish through a net and put them in the tank

Thanks for the help btw!

If we were to move the harlequins to the 20 with a ph around 6.5 temp 75 would that be good?! And of course get like 8-10 more harlequins

 

If we were to move the harlequins to the 20 with a ph around 6.5 temp 75 would that be good?! And of course get like 8-10 more harlequins

Yes they would love that. And plants.

 

Yes they would love that. And plants.

Cool! That’s what we will do! They will be ok with the move? In the past (when I did not know as much) they always died a bit later. (Different fish.)

 

Acclimatise them slowly as they have to get used to the ph change.

 

Acclimatise them slowly as they have to get used to the ph change.

K thanks for all of the help!!!!!!! Sorry to bother you, but I have one last question. Should they be the first fish in the tank or should we already have a few harlequins?

 

K thanks for all of the help!!!!!!! Sorry to bother you, but I have one last question. Should they be the first fish in the tank or should we already have a few harlequins?

Probably won't matter much, they might feel more comfortable when they go in there having a school to join. As mentioned acclimate slowly the PH and Temp change will be a lot for them. I would wait on other species though.

 

Probably won't matter much, they might feel more comfortable when they go in there having a school to join. As mentioned acclimate slowly the PH and Temp change will be a lot for them. I would wait on other species though.

Ok, thanks! I will do that!